Former Tottenham and Everton midfielder Dele Alli shared a defiant message in a recent social media post after suffering another setback in his recovery from injury.
The 28-year-old last played competitively in February 2023 during a loan spell at Turkish club Besiktas. He has been training with the Toffees since his contract at Goodison Park expired last summer.
Last week, following news that Alli had suffered a muscle injury that affected his ability to train, Everton boss Sean Dyche said Alli had been 'peed out' due to the recurring problems.
The midfielder shared an update on his condition on Instagram. He wrote 'create it' in a post with some images from training sessions.
Alli also shared an anime image with a motivational quote: “The life you want doesn't exist. It is within you and waiting for you to create it.
The former Spurs star was hoping to land a contract with Dyche's side, who allowed the England international to continue training with them, but according to former Toffees scout Bryan King, their patience has reached a limit.
The fitness group appear keen to end Dele's spell after two years out of the game, with the free agent struggling to get back on the pitch.
King recently revealed that the midfielder may have to wait until next summer to complete a deal as he aims to return to full strength in the youth teams.
He told Goodison News: 'The road is only getting longer for Alli. Decisions will be made when he can return to play.
'He will have to play for at least six months with the Under-21s before the club can decide whether it is worth offering him a new contract.
'He has a lot to prove if he wants to earn another contract. It's a shame because he was a very good footballer, and I imagine he still will be once he can get back to full fitness.”
The midfielder said earlier this year that he was targeting a place at the 2026 World Cup with England as he anticipates an eventual return to international football.
Alli was previously a regular in England, playing at the 2016 European Championship and the World Cup in Russia two years later, but has not featured since his 37th international appearance five years ago.
“You know you can set reminders on your phone, I have a reminder every day at 11am that says: 'World Cup 2026',” he told Sky Sports in April. 'That's my goal for now. I think people will say, “He hasn't played in a year,” but I don't care, I know my level.
'The only goal I have now is the World Cup. Obviously I am injured and contracted to Everton and so I have to take it every day and make sure that my injury heals and that I am in the best possible condition after the summer.
'It's annoying because I don't fully train until the season is over, so it means I don't have to rush it.'
Everton, meanwhile, were open to offering Alli a new contract in August. Dyche said things were “going well” but talks never progressed.
Alli played a total of thirteen games for Everton, in which he did not score a goal.
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